The Gnostic Paul: Gnostic Exegesis of the Pauline LettersIn this highly original work, Elaine Pagels demonstrates how evidence from gnostic sources may challenge the assumption that Paul writes his letters to combat "gnostic opponents" and to repudiate their claims to secret wisdom. Drawing upon evidence from the gnostic exegesis of Paul, including several Nag Hammadi texts, the author examines how gnostic exegetes cite and interpret key passages in the letters they consider Pauline-1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Hebrews. Besides offering new insight into controversies over Paul in the second century, this analysis of gnostic exegesis suggests a new perspective for Pauline study, challenging students and scholars to recognize the presuppositions-hermenuetical and theological-involved in their own reading of Paul's letters. Elaine H. Pagels is the Harrington Spear Paine Professor of Religion at Princeton University. She is the author of The Gnostic Gospels, which won the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award, The Johannie Gospel in Gnostic Exegesis, Adam, Eve, and the Serpent, and the best-selling Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas. |
Contents
1 | |
I Romans | 13 |
II 1 Corinthians | 53 |
III 2 Corinthians | 95 |
IV Galatians | 101 |
V Ephesians | 115 |
VI Philippians | 134 |
VII Colossians | 137 |
VIII Hebrews | 141 |
Gnostic Exegesis of the Pauline Letters | 157 |
167 | |
171 | |
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Abraham aions angels apostle archons authority baptism Basilides become believe body called Christ Jesus Christians circumcision cites Corinthians cosmic cosmos creation dead death demiurge demiurge's discussion of Rom divine ecclesia Ephesians exegesis faith Father flesh foolish fornication glory gnosis God the Father Gospel of Philip Gospel of Truth grace Heracleon says hylic initiated reader interpret Irenaeus Jesus Christ Jews logos Marcosians mean Moses mystery Naassenes offers Origen Pagels passage passion Paul says Paul's Pauline pleroma pneumatic elect preaching psychic Jews psychics Ptolemy Quispel raised receive recognize redemption resurrection Rheginos righteousness sake salvation sarkic savior Scherer secret seed signifies slave soul speak symbolic syzygy teaching Tertullian Theodotus says theology things Valentinian exegetes Valentinians claim Valentinus wisdom sophia woman worship γὰρ δὲ εἰς ἐν καὶ μὲν οἱ τὰ τὴν τῆς τὸ τὸν τοῦ τῷ τῶν